BRITISH OPINION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 229, 27 September 1935, Page 7

BRITISH OPINION.

MUST NOT ACT ALONE. Hope for Peace Reposed in League's Strength. FIDELITY TO COVENANT. British Official Wireless. ' (Received 2 p.m.) RUGBY, September 26. Sir Austen Chamberlain, in reply to the London correspondent of the Paris "Figaro," said: "I remain convinced that intimate and continuous collaboration between Britain and Franco at Geneva can still prevent war. "The League of Nations will emerge from this trial triumphant or irrevocably weakened. By the resolute action of all its members it can create a precedent which will bring about action on another occasion if the danger of aggression appears in Europe. "Britain is not acting out of selfinterest. Fidelity to the Covenant is the cause of her action. The strength of lier attachment to the League, as shown by public opinion in Britain, lias surprised even its leaders. If Britain refuses to increase her commitments she remains faithful at least to those she has already undertaken. "She wonders only whether other nations are prepared to do as nrich, because Britain will not and cannot act alone." No Question rf Single Action. Mr. Winston Churchill, in his speech at the Carlton Club, said: "The whole country, indeed the whole Empire, I believe, is ready to support the Government in making a contribution to the authority of the League of Nations in accordance with the obligations into which we have entered. We also support the Government in making it clear that there . no question of single action by Britain."

He continued: "We in this country! .are sorry that there has been an angry i campaign against us in the Italian Press 1 and are very glad that our ov i news-" papers made no rejoinder. The issue does not lie between Italy and Britain; it lies between Italy and the League of Nations."

He regarded the British Navy as fully competent to discharge any duty which might be required of it this year or next year, but the future must be provided for.